“This old tree at the Slate Islands seemed to me like an old guard standing still. Watching quietly over the islands, it looks strong and fragile at the same time.

As I worked on the painting, the setting sun in the background sent the tree into silhouette, creating a more graphic image. At times, the scene reminded me of an old Tom Thomson painting, “Northern River” I think it was called, that featured a view looking through silhouetted trees to the river. I saw that painting many years ago, and although I’ve never consciously tried to emulate it or Tom’s art, I guess it still has had an influence on me, sometimes even in the field.”